Second Time Around (3B/?)
Title: Second Time Around (3B/?)
Author: Nora C. Parker
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Set in Season 6. What if a different Cardio God came to SWMWH during the episode "New HIstory" (6x09). This story contemplates a surgeon other than Teddy joining the staff. The story veers from the established timeline as of that episode, although some of the episode is referenced within this story.
Disclaimer: I have no ownership over the characters.
Note: I began this story about a year ago. The entire first chapter was posted elsewhere online. The rest of it is a journey.
Prior parts:
Part 1A
Part 1B
Part 1C
Part 1D
Part 2A
Part 2B
Part 2C
Part 3A
Part 3: Sweet little lies might have worked for Fleetwood Mac
Deep down, she knew she loved Callie, and Callie said that she loved her. But now a small fear of the price of that love was growing into a greater fear. Was she the only one that Callie loved? Arizona headed towards her locker, hoping she still had at least one pack of Marlboros secreted away in her cubby. Today had become that day. A detour was in order.
# # #
“So, who’s dying?” Mark took a seat on the edge of the bed, his feet on the floor. He patted the spot next to him.
Ignoring the invitation to sit, Callie paced back and forth as she spoke. “Hahn. She’s dying.”
“Hahn’s dying?” His voice hinted at concern.
“She’s dying because I’m going to kill her. Soon. And a lot.” Callie balled up her fists as if crushing something. “In the most painful way I can devise.”
“Torres, sit down.”
“I need to figure out a way to do it without breaking any bones. Because I don’t want to fix bones. Not her bones.”
“Torres!”
“No.” Callie stopped her pacing and spun around to look directly at Mark. “She is totally insane and I get to yell.”
In response, Mark shouted back. “You’re giving me a headache.”
She slumped down onto the spot next to him. “Consider it a gift from Hahn. She gave me one a while ago and it’s just getting worse.” She scooted back against the wall, drawing up and crossing her legs. “Arizona thought I should try to be her friend, Hahn’s friend.” The way Mark was looking confused, Callie thought that the qualification was necessary. “But I can’t. My history is something she views as her reality.”
“It’s too bad. You guys made a good pair.”
“Maybe for you. You got all the dirty talk and the hope we’d invite you along.”
“Which you never did.” Mark sat back, sitting aside Callie. “I miss that.”
“Maybe you do, but I don’t. I’m with Arizona. I love Arizona, Mark.” Callie took hold of Mark’s hand. “I want a future with Arizona, and I think she wants the same thing. Whatever might have happened with Hahn doesn’t matter because it won’t happen now.”
“When did you get to be so boring, Torres?”
As Callie slumped against Mark, he threw an arm over her shoulder.
“At least tell me the sex with Blondie is hot.”
“Mark.”
“C’mon. She’s got a nice body, good boobs. It’s hot, right?”
A playful backhanded slap connected with Mark’s chest. “Stop it. You know she doesn’t like it when you talk like that.”
“Maybe she doesn’t.” Mark lowered his voice to a conspiratorial tone. “But I’m talking to you.”
(end part 3B)